One man helps fulfill another’s dream

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Speed racing has virtually been a life-long passion of Yacolt resident Pete Richardson, who has received more than his share of helping hands from friends in the industry over the years.

This time, it was Richardson lending a hand to another and the result was the fulfillment of a New Zealander’s dream to drive in the Southern California Timing Association’s annual Speed Week event held in August at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Richardson, who turned 79 on Sept. 10, headed to this year’s event with daughter Tamra Slagle and her husband Shane Slagle. The crew once again participated in the event with Richardson’s 1931 Model A Ford, dubbed “Lickety-Split.’’

Richardson, who lives in Dole Valley, set the world record for the Vintage Gas Coupe Class at the 2009 event, reaching a speed of 109.572 mph. Since setting that record, the crew struggled to regain record-setting form in the past couple of years. However, all that changed at last month’s event.

First, Tamra drove Lickety-Split to a new record with a speed of 114.698 mph. The course they run on at the Bonneville Salt Flats is a straight line of five miles, three miles of which is timed and the final two miles are to shut down. A record consists of the average of two runs over the same course.

The following day, Shane climbed into Lickety-Split and topped his wife’s mark, reaching a speed of 115.381 mph. The engine used in the Model A was a 1932 block with an overhead valve conversion. It also has a Magneto and fuel injection.

An engine swap

After the world record-runs were certified, Richardson then allowed an acquaintance from New Zealand to take Lickety-Split for a run.

Richardson met Derek Thomason several years ago at the annual Speed Week event. Last year, the New Zealander offered to purchase the Model A from Richardson, who has no desire to part with his prized possession.

So, this year, Thomason had his own motor shipped to Utah from New Zealand. And, Richardson agreed to allow Thomason to install his own motor in Lickety-Split.

“It was his dream to make a pass on the Salt Flats,’’ Richardson said of Thomason. “We pulled my engine out and put his engine in.’’

Richardson said that in one of his early trips to Speed Week, a fellow driver from California was kind enough to lend him a helping hand so the Yacolt man was willing to pay the good deed forward.

“I thought ‘what goes around, comes around,’ ’’ Richardson said. “We fulfilled his dream.’’

Richardson said the Bonneville Salt Flats is not the ideal setting for swapping motors out of a car, but the crew got it done.



“If you would have tried to script the whole thing, it would have fallen apart,’’ Richardson said. “But it worked because everybody wanted to make it happen.’’

Thomason posted a speed of 86 mph with his street engine in Lickety-Split. It was enough to leave him choked up about the experience.

“When he came to thank me, he said ‘I’ve got to turn my head because I’m getting teary-eyed,’ ’’ Richardson said of Thomason. “As soon as he got back to New Zealand, he said he was still walking on Cloud 9 because it was the fulfillment of a life-long dream. It’s kind of cool to help somebody out like that.’’

After Thomason’s run, the crew took his motor out and placed Richardson’s back in Lickety-Split, which is sponsored by Battle Ground’s Elite Collision & Auto Spa and Art Morse Auto Repair.

Richardson said he didn’t make a run in Lickety-Split this year for two reasons.

“The kids have supported me for so long, I thought it was another way to pay them back for their help,’’ he said. “I can always drive. The other good reason to let the kids drive is I’m getting up in years and my reaction isn’t as good as I think it is. They still have all of theirs.’’

Richardson’s background

About 10 years ago, Richardson lost his beloved wife Mary. The two became sweethearts during their senior year at Battle Ground High School, each graduating in 1952. Back then, the two would cruise around town in Richardson’s 1931 Model A Ford.

Before Mary passed away, the Richardsons had already started planning to acquire one of the vintage cars similar to the one they enjoyed so much when they were in high school. Before they got too far on their new plans, Mary died and Pete was left to decide if it was still something he was passionate about.

Richardson continued with the couple’s plans and completed an additional bay on the shop at his home. Then, he purchased Lickety-Split, a full-bodied 1931 Model A Coupe. Even without Mary, Richardson’s efforts with Lickety-Split are a family affair.

In addition to Tamra and Shane, the crew has also included friend Tonya Harding. The team has worked together to set several world land speed records in the vintage gas couple class. Harding, who previously set the flat head with supercharger record at 97.1 mph, has moved to eastern Oregon with her husband Joe and 2-year-old son so she isn’t able to participate as much these days.

Early in 2010, Richardson had open heart surgery. Complications with his recovery led to a 57-day stay in the Intensive Care Unit of an area hospital, but he has recovered nicely.

Richardson has always loved cars and racing. He raced at the old Portland Speedway in the 1960s but stopped due to family responsibilities. But, there’s obviously no stopping him and Lickety-Split these days.